2010 Giro di Lombardia: Saturday, October 16th

The Giro di Lombardia professional race, one of the five "monuments" of the one day classics, will take place on Saturday,October 16th. It is also known as the "Race of the Falling Leaves" ("classica delle foglie morte") as it is normally held in October. Originally called the Milano-Milano when it was first held in 1905, it became the Giro di Lombardia in 1907. The 2010 Giro di Lombardia will be the 104th edition of the race; the only years when it has not been held were 1943 and 1944, when it was interrupted by World War II.



The route for this year has changed dramatically to offer a more exciting spectacle for fans. For its 104th edition, "Il Lombardia" will start in Milan; the first time since October 13, 1984, when Bernard Hinault won in Como.

From the start, the course heads almost due north, passing through Como, before passing around the outside of the inverted ‘Y’ of the Lago di Como and the Lago di Lecco. Before reaching Lecco the riders will climb the Intelvi Tartavelle and Colle Balisio. After passing through the city of Lecco, the race takes the familiar banks of the lake in the direction of Bellagio to the base of the iconic climb to the Madonna del Ghisallo.

After the Ghisallo, instead of descending towards Erbe, the race will turn right to pass over the 1124m Colma di Sormano (which replaces the Civiglio ascent). Rising 629m in 9.6km, the Sormano presents a much longer and tougher climb than is usually experienced at this stage of the race. With just 41km to go from the top it will likely thin the peloton further as it makes its way to the finish.

After descending to Nesso, on the banks of the Lago di Como, the course makes its way south once more towards the finish. Once reaching Como though, instead of simply heading towards the lakefront, the race will finally rejoin the route of previous years and tackle the short, sharp climb of San Fermo di Battaglia.

From the top of the climb it is a simple 3.5km descent, followed by a flat 1.5km to the finish so, as so many times before, the leader over the San Fermo di Battaglia will likely be the winner of the race.

Last year’s race was won by Belgian Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto). New world champion Thor Hushovd will debut his rainbow jersey.

Invited teams:
AG2R LA MONDIALE (FRA)
ASTANA (KAZ)
CAISSE D’EPARGNE (SPA)
EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI (SPA)
FRANCAISE DES JEUX (FRA)
GARMIN – TRANSITIONS (USA)
LAMPRE – VINI FARNESE (ITA)
LIQUIGAS – DOIMO (ITA)
OMEGA PHARMA – LOTTO (BEL)
QUICK STEP (BEL)
RABOBANK (OLA)
SKY PROFESSIONAL CYCLING TEAM (GBR)
TEAM HTC COLUMBIA (USA)
TEAM KATUSHA (RUS)
TEAM MILRAM (GER)
TEAM SAXO BANK (DAN)
ACQUA E SAPONE – D’ANGELO & ANTENUCCI (ITA)
ANDRONI GIOCATTOLI – SERRAMENTI PVC DIQUIGIOVANNI (ITA)
BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM (FRA)
BMC RACING TEAM (USA)
CARMIOORO NGC (GBR)
CERVELO TEST TEAM (SVI)
COFIDIS, LE CREDIT EN LIGNE (FRA)
COLNAGO – CSF INOX (IRL)
ISD – NERI (ITA)
RADIO SHACK (USA)



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